Delusions Of Gender May 2026

: This term refers to the use of neuroscience to reinforce gender stereotypes . Fine explains how seemingly objective brain scans are often interpreted through a biased lens to justify existing social inequalities, such as the underrepresentation of women in STEM.

: Central to her argument is the concept of neuroplasticity , which describes the brain's ability to reorganize itself based on experience. Because our environment is heavily gendered from birth, our brains develop in ways that reflect those societal norms. Delusions of Gender

: Fine discusses how societal expectations can impact performance . When people are made aware of negative stereotypes about their group (e.g., "women are bad at math"), they often perform worse, creating a self-fulfilling prophecy that is then mistakenly attributed to biology. Gender stereotypes in childhood: what’s the harm? : This term refers to the use of

Fine's work challenges several long-standing myths about the brain and gender: Because our environment is heavily gendered from birth,